Momo's Gradual Change - VOL. 1

C181. Shu Fan's Request.

Chapter 181: Shu Fan’s Request

Shu Fan arrived quickly, looking at Song Yimo with intense sincerity. His tone was solemn. "Uncle Zheji said that you’d save my sister and even pay for my schooling."

"Yes, that’s what I said. Would you be willing to come with me?" As soon as the words left her mouth, Song Yimo felt like a human trafficker. She quickly added, "I’ll take you both to S City, but you’re still young. You could bring an adult along. Don’t worry, I’ll cover the tickets."

Shu Fan smiled. Any doubts he had before melted away in this exchange. He could trust this woman he’d only met twice.

There was a hint of trepidation in Song Yimo’s heart as she faced the young man destined to become someone formidable. She made a mental note to avoid any hint of exploiting kindness for gratitude.

She truly had no ulterior motives—just a desire to guide this young man, who stirred a sense of shared suffering within her, toward the right path. She felt that, with his potential, if he chose the right way, he could achieve great things.

The boy pressed his lips together, a stubbornness flashing in his eyes. “I wouldn’t feel right just taking your help.”

Seeing a child already calculating like an adult, and recalling his resolute expression in the video she’d seen, Song Yimo’s heart softened. Her tone was gentler than usual. "Tell me—what would make you feel right?"

"I’ll work for you. You pay for my sister’s surgery, for my schooling, and… for the education of the kids with me too."

He lowered his head, maybe realizing he was asking too much. Then he quickly lifted it again, hope flickering in his gaze. "I’m a fast learner and can skip grades. When I’m grown, I’ll earn money. I’ll pay you back what you spent on their schooling, and after that, they’ll be my responsibility. And once they’re taken care of, I’m yours. Whatever you ask of me, I’ll do."

Song Yimo quickly cut in, worried he’d end up saying something drastic like 'even if it’s breaking the law.' “From the beginning, I’ve never intended to trample on your dignity. Even if you want to ‘work for me,’ I wouldn’t know how to employ you. As for your request…”

Afraid she might refuse, Shu Fan’s anxiousness finally showed. “They all listen to me. If I’m gone, they’ll get bullied. Some people are always trying to reclaim the territory…”

Song Yimo interrupted him gently. “I didn’t say no. I’m just thinking about whether to enroll you here or somewhere else.”

Shu Fan’s excitement made him tremble slightly. Just a short time ago, he’d felt as though his world had darkened because of his sister’s illness, and now life felt like a dream.

The difference between hell and heaven—could it be this vast?

"When can your sister be discharged?"

“If she doesn’t need surgery right away, the hospital can only do so much. Once her condition is stable, she can be released.”

Song Yimo nodded. “Remember to bring her medical records. If you don’t have them, ask the doctor to document her case history. Bring any test results or empty medicine bottles she’s used; that’ll make it easier for the new doctors. If not, it’s okay. They’ll probably want to run the tests again anyway.”

“Yes, I’ll remember.”

This once-intimidating boy was suddenly so cooperative, it left Song Yimo feeling a small sense of accomplishment. “She shouldn’t travel by plane with her condition. We’ll take the train to S City.”

Shu Fan nodded eagerly. “And what about my friends?”

“Out-of-towners face challenges enrolling in S City schools. I’ll discuss it with my brother. If it doesn’t work out, they can go to my hometown. It’s smaller but nourishing, and it’d give them time to adjust to inland life.”

“Alright. Wherever they need to go, they’ll listen.”

“I know.” Song Yimo hesitated for a moment, then reached out and patted his shoulder. “Did you set rules for them? They seem to be learning well.”

It had been a long time since anyone had shown Shu Fan such genuine care. It wasn’t that people hadn’t tried to get close to him before, but he never wanted to be near those who looked at him with strange eyes.

This elder sister, however, made him want to be closer. But feeling unworthy and afraid she’d find him repellent, he kept his distance.

Song Yimo turned to Zhou Qing, who stood behind her like a silent post. “Zhou-ge, could I ask a favor of you?”

“Please, Miss Song.”

“We leave tomorrow. I don’t want to just drop everything here. Could you stay a few more days to help settle things?”

“My job is to protect you. I can only stay if the boss agrees.”

“I’ll speak with my older brother about it soon,” Song Yimo assured him.

Zhou Qing nodded in agreement.

Turning to Shu Fan, Song Yimo pointed at Zhou Qing. “This is Brother Zhou. After I leave, he’ll handle things for you. Don’t worry.”

Seeing the unease still lingering in Shu Fan’s eyes, Song Yimo pulled a slip of paper from her bag and quickly jotted down a string of numbers. “Here’s my phone number. By the way, my surname is Song—Song Yimo. You can call me anytime.”

Shu Fan took the paper, carefully memorized the number, then folded it gently and tucked it into his pocket. “Understood, Miss Song.”

“I’m not some ‘Miss.’ Just call me ‘sister,’ that’ll do.”

The word “sister” filled Shu Fan with a comforting warmth, and he repeated it softly, almost cautiously, “Sister.”

“Good.” Song Yimo gave him a gentle smile. “I’ll be going to university in S City, so we’ll be able to see each other often. And if nothing else comes up at home, I’ll head to S City earlier. Don’t worry.”

“Yes, Sister.”

For a moment, Song Yimo felt she’d forgotten something important. Unable to recall it, she shrugged it off and nodded toward the young boy, who was already fidgeting with excitement. “Go and tell your friends the news, but don’t let anyone else know. Sister doesn’t want any trouble.”

“Yes, Sister. We won’t tell anyone.”

Shu Fan practically floated away, his demeanor still remarkably composed for his age, yet underneath it all, he was just a child of seven or eight. For his age, his maturity was nothing short of extraordinary.

Zhe Ji exchanged a look with Zhou Qing, uncertain whether he should stay or go.

“Zhe Ji Dage,” Song Yimo asked, “do Shu Fan and his sister have any other relatives?”

Zhe Ji, a straightforward man whose feelings showed plainly on his face, displayed an unmistakable look of distaste, which told Song Yimo he had someone specific in mind.

“Xia Qi ran off with all the family’s money, and we couldn’t find her no matter how hard we tried. She was the first to abandon those kids. If she stirs up trouble now, we’ve got ways to make her quiet down. Miss Song, you don’t need to worry about her. As for the Shu family, there’s an aunt, but she’s been estranged since Xia Qi’s drama and hasn’t been in touch. Shu Fan and his sister have been through so much, and she’s never once shown up. Now that you’re taking them under your wing, she’ll probably be relieved.”

Song Yimo sighed. No wonder Shu Fan had developed such a hardened outlook—he had no reliable adults around him.

“We’ll be counting on you to keep an eye on things these next few days, Zhe Ji Dage.”